What/how are the elder scrolls? : The Elder Scrolls Series Discussion

» Thu Dec 08, 2011 12:48 pm

So what are they? How were they written, does each of them tell of a different prophecy? Septimus signus says they can see past and the future, but why can't someone stop it if they know whats going to happen?

Also, in the Oblivion when you steal it, there is alot of the scrolls?

Where can I get information on things like this?

» Thu Dec 08, 2011 9:24 am

Here on the forums, we have a remarkable tool called the search bar.

» Thu Dec 08, 2011 2:37 am

Wow, ignoring the absolute rudeness of the poster above me. The Elder Scrolls are a prophetic devise that tells all future, present and past events while offering several (possible) versions of the future but none of which are technically concrete. We don't know how they were written or how they came to be, they just are but yes there are many scrolls. The only one who can read them however are Moth Priests, and they eventually go permanently blind from reading them.

» Thu Dec 08, 2011 5:07 am

Also, the Orc at the College of Winterhold said that they are a piece of the Divines created to help us understand.

» Thu Dec 08, 2011 9:22 am

Here on the forums, we have a remarkable tool called the search bar.

I'm sure a search for "Elder Scrolls" would only yield a couple of hits.

» Thu Dec 08, 2011 10:39 am

I'm sure a search for "Elder Scrolls" would only yield a couple of hits.

Touché

» Thu Dec 08, 2011 2:33 am

Here on the forums, we have a remarkable tool called the search bar.

HA

no but really you can't stop the future events because
1. it's going to happen
2. those who read are blind
3. monks can't leave the palace

:tes: love

» Thu Dec 08, 2011 6:43 am

Presumably the future they foretell takes your knowledge of it into account.

» Thu Dec 08, 2011 6:00 pm

Also, the Orc at the College of Winterhold said that they are a piece of the Divines created to help us understand.

I too remember him saying that. I also remember someone (I'm not sure who) says something like "...And not even the Divines care to correct them"
It might have been Septimus Signus. I can't remember. Which make me wonder if the Elder Scrolls are above the Divines.

» Thu Dec 08, 2011 4:26 pm

I too remember him saying that. I also remember someone (I'm not sure who) says something like "...And not even the Divines care to correct them"
It might have been Septimus Signus. I can't remember. Which make me wonder if the Elder Scrolls are above the Divines.

In a way, the elder scrolls are. Aedra and Daedra couldn't hope to alter the Scrolls. Of course, for all their immunity to divine machinations, they lack agency.

» Thu Dec 08, 2011 9:36 am

Is there any information about the number of Elder Scrolls? There was one in Oblivion and one in Skyrim. My thoughts, if the Moth Priests go blind by them, then surely there is more? If one priest gathers all the information about 1 scroll that they can, why would the next 5 priests try?

» Thu Dec 08, 2011 12:43 pm

Is there any information about the number of Elder Scrolls? There was one in Oblivion and one in Skyrim. My thoughts, if the Moth Priests go blind by them, then surely there is more? If one priest gathers all the information about 1 scroll that they can, why would the next 5 priests try?

If you notice, the Library in the Imperial Palace is lined with cabinets filled with Elder Scrolls.

» Thu Dec 08, 2011 4:41 pm

If you notice, the Library in the Imperial Palace is lined with cabinets filled with Elder Scrolls.

Not to mention that the book in Skyrim about the Elder Scrolls makes it sound like cataloging them is a task in futility.

» Thu Dec 08, 2011 9:59 am

I'm convinced they're connected to Hermaeus Mora somehow.

» Thu Dec 08, 2011 2:14 pm

IIRC, the Dwemer created a machine for reading the scrolls without going blind :hubbahubba:

» Thu Dec 08, 2011 4:14 am

It's a big mystery, and you can imagine whatever you want, really. I like to think that the Elder Scrolls are the universe, and the physical "scrolls" are just points in spacetime where everything folds back on itself. So when you look at an Elderscroll, you're looking at everything and all time all at once, and that's why you go blind (everything includes all the light).

» Thu Dec 08, 2011 2:43 pm

It's a big mystery, and you can imagine whatever you want, really. I like to think that the Elder Scrolls are the universe, and the physical "scrolls" are just points in spacetime where everything folds back on itself. So when you look at an Elderscroll, you're looking at everything and all time all at once, and that's why you go blind (everything includes all the light).

you know what, thats a pretty plausible thought. when you read the elder scroll in skyrim, it does flash very brightly before you get blinded.

» Thu Dec 08, 2011 12:58 pm

IIRC, the Dwemer created a machine for reading the scrolls without going blind :hubbahubba:

Is that what that machine was for? I never caught it's purpose.

» Thu Dec 08, 2011 2:58 am

Is that what that machine was for? I never caught it's purpose.

If I remember Septimus' rants correctly (it really needs to be transcribed somewhere), The Dwemer "Lexicon" he gives you can be inscribed with revelations from the scroll, and then the revelations can be safely digested by interfacing with the lexicon. The machine is somehow able to perform this process, and for some reason uses light, just like a similar dwemer construction in another ruin. (only that one indicated items of magic power)

» Thu Dec 08, 2011 7:00 am

The Dwemer invented photography.